RE/MAX Macon, REALTORS
Linda Davis-Broker/REALTOR
3200 Riverside Drive Suite A-100
Macon  GA 31210
 Phone: 478-477-9595 302
Toll Free: 1-800-635-0824
Cell: 478-957-3804
Fax: 478-477-6078 
linda_davis@remax.net
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Linda Davis-Broker/REALTOR

Options other than Foreclosure

Reinstatement


This is where the homeowner reinstates the mortgage by paying up all missed payments and fees and becomes current with the mortgage. After all the fees have been paid up then the homeowner can continue to pay the mortgage payments as they had.


Forbearance


More commonly known as a re-payment plan, allows the homeowner to negotiate a repayment of missed payments and fees to reinstate the mortgage.



Sell the Property


If there is equity in the property then the home can be sold and the foreclosure can be "cured" thus avoiding the foreclosure. If the home is worth less than is owed plus sales expenses then a short sale must be negotiated (see the section on "short sale" explained).



Rent the Property


The property can be rented however the mortgage must be made current. A rental agreement will not stop the foreclosure process.


Refinance


If the credit rating hasn't been too badly damaged, a refinance may help especially if the monthly payments can be reduced.


Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure


Commonly known as the friendly foreclosure, this involves for the bank to agree to foreclose and take the property back without the lengthy process. This is not recommended for properties with equity because the owner gives up the right to the property and any equity. This option is technically still a foreclosure and will show up as such on your credit report. Sometimes the bank will forgo any other recourse but that will also have to be negotiated.


Bankruptcy


It cannot avoid the foreclosure but may allow the owner to reorganize debt and stall the foreclosure. Another drawback is that it makes it difficult to sell the property and almost impossible to negotiate with any third parties.



Short Sale


When the homeowner owes more than the property is worth plus sales expenses, a sale can be negotiated and an approval obtained from the bank to accept an amount less than is owed.

Most of the options above involve negotiation with the bank and a decent credit rating. If the credit has been affected already, then the only real option that can help is the short sale.